The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is a general transfer degree. Successful transfer depends on many factors, including alignment of courses with the desired transfer institution. These degrees are designed to be flexible to allow students to take the courses that align with their transfer pathway. Helena College has created many pre-designed transfer pathways that are optimized for transfer into a variety of programs. Please review the pathways in the areas of interest portion of the catalog. Students will be placed on an advising pathway at the time of registration. 

Completion of this program indicates the student has completed a course of study equivalent to the first two years of a baccalaureate degree. The Associate of Science degree does not officially include a major or minor course of study. With an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from Helena College, a student can transfer to any Montana University System school with junior class status.

Students may also accumulate credits to transfer to another college or university. Completion of the Helena College general education core requirements (30 credits) satisfies the general core requirements of the Montana University System. All Montana University System institutions will accept the Helena College general education core to satisfy their lower division general education requirements.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the core General Education outcomes of Helena College and the Montana University System.
2. Think critically in evaluating information, making decisions, using technology, and solving problems.
3. Consider the application of the natural and/or physical sciences and mathematics in the context of today's world. 
4. Build knowledge and skills for transfer to a four-year degree program.

Associate of Science (A.S.) Requirements 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
First Year Seminar Requirement		3
Montana University System Core Requirments		30
One Natural Science course and an additional Natural Science or Mathematics Course		6
Electives		21
Total Credits		60

 Additional Requirements

1. Completion of 60 semester credits in courses numbered 100 level and above. A course cannot satisfy more than one general education core or graduation requirement.
2. Final cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above. A grade of “C-” or better is required for all courses.
3. At least 12 credits must be at the 200 level.
4. At least 1/3 of the degree must be completed at Helena College.
5. Completion of one course designated as Cultural Heritage of American Indian (CHAI).

I. First Year Seminar Course - 3 Credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
COLS 101	First Year Seminar	3

II. Montana University System Core Courses - 30 Credits

Natural Science - 7 Credits (Must include 1 lab course)

Course List (Per Attribute)

Code	Title	Credits
ASTR 110	Intro to Astronomy	4
BIOB 101	Discover Biology/Lab	4
BIOB 160	Princpls of Living Systems/Lab	4
BIOB 170	Prin Biological Diversity/Lab	4
BIOB 260	Cellular and Molecular Biology	4
BIOH 104	Basic Human Biology & Lab	4
BIOH 201	Human Anat Phys I/Lab (= 301)	4
BIOH 211	Human Anat Phys II & Lab(=311)	4
BIOM 250	Microbiology for Hlth Sc	4
CHMY 121	Intro to General Chem w/Lab	4
CHMY 123	Intro to Organic/Biochem w/Lab	4
CHMY 141	College Chemistry I w/Lab	4
CHMY 143	College Chemistry II w/Lab	4
CHMY 221	Organic Chem I (equv CHMY 321)	5
CHMY 223	Organic Chm II (equv CHMY 323)	5
ENSC 105	Environmental Science	3
ENST 230	Nature and Society	3
GEO 101	Intro to Physical Geologyw/Lab	4
OTA 201	Movement in Occupations	4
OTA 220	Princ & Pract Physical Health	4
PHSX 205	College Physics I w/Lab	4
PHSX 207	College Physics II	4
PHSX 220	Physics I	4
PHSX 222	Physics II (w/ calculus)	4
PHSX 226	Gen Science: Int Science I	4

Mathematics - 3 credits

Course List (Per Attribute)

Code	Title	Credits
M 105	Contemporary Mathematics	3
M 115	Probability and Linear Math	3
M 121	College Algebra	3
M 151	Precalculus	4
M 171	Calculus I	4
M 172	Calculus II	4
M 234	Higher Math for K8 Tchrs	3
STAT 216	Introduction to Statistics	3

Oral Communication - 3 Credits

Course List (Per Attribute)

Code	Title	Credits
COMX 111	Intro to Public Speaking	3
COMX 115	Intro to Interpersonal Communc	3

 Written Communication - 3 Credits

Course List (Per Attribute)

Code	Title	Credits
WRIT 101	College Writing I	3
WRIT 121	Intro to Technical Writing	3
WRIT 201	College Writing II	3

Social & Psychological Sciences/History - 6 Credits

Course List (Per Attribute)

Code	Title	Credits
ANTY 101	Anthro & the Human Experience	3
ARTH 201	Art of World Civilization 2	3
BGEN 105	Introduction to Business	3
CJUS 121	Intro to Criminal Justice	3
ECNS 201	Principles of Microeconomics	3
ECNS 202	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
ENST 230	Nature and Society	3
GPHY 121	Human Geography	3
HSTA 101	American History I	3
HSTA 102	American History II	3
HSTA 215	Post-WW II America	3
HSTA 255	Montana History	3
NASX 105	Intro to Native Amer Studies	3
OTA 130	Human Occup Across Lifespan	3
OTA 210	OTA in Mental Health	3
PSCI 210	Intro to American Government	3
PSCI 260	Intro to State and Local Govt	3
PSYX 100	Introduction to Psychology	3
PSYX 120	Intro Psych Research Methods	3
PSYX 230	Developmental Psychology	3
PSYX 240	Fund of Abnormal Psychology	3
PSYX 250	Fund of Biological Psychology	3
PSYX 260	Fund of Social Psychology	3
PSYX 270	Fund Psychology of Learning	3
PSYX 280	Fund of Memory and Cognition	3
PUBH 101	Introduction to Public Health	3
SOCI 101	Introduction to Sociology	3
SOCI 160	Soc of Media & Pop Culture	3
SOCI 201	Social Problems	3
SOCI 211	Introduction to Criminology	3
SOCI 220	Race, Gender and Class	3
SOCI 221	Criminal Justice System	3
SOCI 234	Sex and Sexualities	3

Humanities/Fine Arts - 6 Credits

Course List (Per Attribute)

Code	Title	Credits
ARTH 200	Art of World Civilization I	3
ARTH 201	Art of World Civilization 2	3
ARTZ 101	Art Fundamentals	3
ARTZ 105	Visual Language - Drawing	3
ARTZ 106	Visual Language 2D-Foundations	3
ARTZ 108	Visual Language - 3-D Fndtns	3
ARTZ 211	Drawing I	3
ARTZ 221	Painting I	3
ARTZ 224	Watercolor I	3
ARTZ 231	Ceramics I	3
ARTZ 284	Photo I-Techs and Processes	3
BGEN 220	Bus Ethics & Soc Responsiblty	3
CRWR 212	Intro Nonfiction Workshop	3
CRWR 240	Intro Creative Writing Wrkshp	3
CRWR 291	Special Topics	3
GDSN 149	Digital Imaging I	3
LIT 110	Intro to Lit	3
LIT 211	American Literature II	3
LIT 213	Montana Literature	3
LIT 230	World Lit Survey	3
MART 101	Intro to Media Arts	3
MART 112	Intro to Film Editing	3
MART 122	Introduction to Adobe	3
OTA 240	Prof Issues and Ethical Consid	3
PHL 110	Introduction to Ethics	3
SPNS 101	Elementary Spanish I	4
SPNS 102	Elementary Spanish II	4

Cultural Diversity - 3 Credits

Course List (Per Attribute)

Code	Title	Credits
ANTY 101	Anthro & the Human Experience	3
ARTH 200	Art of World Civilization I	3
ARTH 201	Art of World Civilization 2	3
GPHY 121	Human Geography	3
HSTA 255	Montana History	3
LIT 211	American Literature II	3
LIT 230	World Lit Survey	3
NASX 105	Intro to Native Amer Studies	3
PSYX 230	Developmental Psychology	3
SOCI 101	Introduction to Sociology	3
SOCI 160	Soc of Media & Pop Culture	3
SOCI 201	Social Problems	3
SOCI 211	Introduction to Criminology	3
SOCI 220	Race, Gender and Class	3
SOCI 234	Sex and Sexualities	3
SPNS 101	Elementary Spanish I	4
SPNS 102	Elementary Spanish II	4

Cultural Heritage of American Indians - 3 Credits

These courses can count towards the appropriate general education core requirement as well as the Cultural Heritage of American Indians requirement. 

Course List (Per Attribute)

Code	Title	Credits
HSTA 101	American History I	3
HSTA 102	American History II	3
HSTA 255	Montana History	3
LIT 211	American Literature II	3
LIT 213	Montana Literature	3
NASX 105	Intro to Native Amer Studies	3

III. Completion of additional Natural Science Course and Natural Science/Mathematics Coursework - 6 Credits

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Natural Science course and additional Natural Science/Mathematics course		6
Total Credits		6

IV. Elective Credits - 21 Credits 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Students may choose coursework numbered 100 or above from any discipline. Students should use transfer pathways to determine appropriate coursework.		21
Students must have a total of 12 credits that are 200 and above.
Total Credits		21

Fine Arts

1. Engage in imaginative expression.
2. Identify, analyze, and interpret a variety of genres, techniques, styles, and inspirations.
3. Apply understanding of form, content, and context in one's own work.
4. Critique the quality of one's own work and that of others.

Humanities

1. Synthesize ideas and information in order to understand the problems, causes, and consequences of historical developments and events.
2. Critically analyze and evaluate primary sources--such as texts, artworks, and music--within their respective historical contexts.
3. Develop coherent arguments that critique these works from a variety of approaches, such as historical, aesthetic, cultural, psychological, political, and philosophical.

Mathematics

1. Solve quantitative problems and interpret solutions.
2. Communicate mathematical ideas clearly using correct mathematical terminology and proper mathematical notation.
3.  Analyze, solve, and compute real-world applications of mathematics.

Oral Communication

1.  Analyze and organize information into concise, coherent oral statements and presentations.
2.  Evaluate, analyze, and speak to the unique needs of specific audiences.
3.  Create and compose questions that demonstrate active listening and critical thinking.
4.  Utilize college-level, ethical research techniques to develop and support ideas.

Natural Science

1.  Understand and demonstrate methods used to gather, test, and interpret scientific data.
2.  Understand basic principles that explain the natural world.
3.  Solve quantitative problems and interpret solutions.
4.  Use inductive and deductive scientific reasoning to solve novel problems.

Social & Psychological Sciences, History

1. Have an awareness of major perspectives in social and individual behavior.
2.  Be able to apply social science theories to multicultural perspectives.
3.  Understand how historical experiences influence current theories.
4.  Be able to apply critical thinking skills.
5.  Be able to recognize and practice ethical research techniques.

Written Communication

1. Demonstrate mastery of engaging, clear, and coherent structures for presenting ideas in a variety of expository and argumentative models.
2. Develop ideas logically, clearly, convincingly, and ethically.
3.  Control the effect of voice in achieving specific communication purposes with specific audiences.
4.  Control the conventions of language.
5.  Understand and apply research skills necessary for academic study.
6. Employ analysis, synthesis, and evaluation in both writing and reading.
7.  Exercise proficiency, confidence, and self-reliance in the application of academic activities.

Diversity

1.  Students will appreciate diversity across cultures and be able to reflect upon their own cultural values and systems.
2. Students will understand and be able to analyze the complex political, social, and economic relationships within and among cultures.
3. Students will appreciate the creative works, values, and ways of life and/or history of a cultural group outside of their own culture.